1. Keeping it quiet
For whatever the reason, you are not putting yourself out there. Even if you have been laid off or fired, you need to network. It is the most effective way to find a new position. But, if no-one knows you are looking, no-one will call.

2. Not searching at all
I hear so often that “there is nothing out there”. The truth is, there is nothing out there FOR YOU, if you are not out looking and positioning yourself to be found. People are hiring, you need to find out who they are and get yourself in the game.

3. “It’s all about me”
To whom does your résumé speak? Do you start with an objective? (what YOU want) Do you tell your life story (and waste a reader’s time) A résumé is for the potential employer. They want to know what you offer THEM. Start with a profile that details how you are unique and what you offer that will be an asset to a future employer. Make sure it is rich with accomplishments and not wasting your reader’s time with fluffy content and laundry lists of tasks.

4. Showing up late or unprepared
If you want to let your potential employer know that you are not dependable, disorganized and not serious, start out by being late, don’t have a copy of your résumé with you and dress inappropriately. You are guaranteed to NOT get a second interview!

5. Be discourteous
Manners and are still expected in today’s job search. Thank the person you met with a handwritten note in addition to an e-mail follow up. You’d be surprised how (sadly) a paper and pen is perceived as “going the extra mile”.

Michelle A. Riklan, Founder
Michelle A. Riklan holds a B.A. in Theatre, English Literature and Speech Communications from Hofstra University. While beginning her corporate career, she pursued and completed a M.A. in Speech and Interpersonal Communications from New York University where she also served as an Instructor in Voice and Diction/Public Speaking. Utilizing her education and presentation skills, she continued a career path in Human Resource Management. Her generalist background is all inclusive, but her areas of expertise include employment, employee relations and training and development.

With a combined 20 years of in-house corporate and targeted consulting experience, Michelle services large corporations as well as small businesses and individuals in all aspects of human resources and career management. As a consultant, she has had the opportunity to work in a wide range of industries including advertising, publishing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, E-commerce and much more.

Certifications/Training
Michelle is an internationally recognized, award winning résumé writer and a member of several prestigious career and résumé writing organizations. The resources and support afforded by being a member if this industry/community is plentiful and allow her clients to reap the benefits of these affiliations. Résumés created at Riklan Resumes are unique, tailored for each individual client and receive the individualized attention that such a service deserves.

As a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and Certified Employment Interview Consultant (CEIC), Michelle has written hundreds of résumés and coached clients through all phases of the job search. Her résumés get results!

Michelle’s training as a DISC administrator and Myers-Briggs assessment administrator is a benefit to her clients to gain insight into a person’s behavioral style, which impacts a client’s chosen career path. She works with her clients to identify specific talents, capitalize on a client’s talents and his/her potential and continuing value to an organization and offers tools to improve interpersonal skills and interviewing performance.

Memberships
Michelle is a proud member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), Professional Association of Résumé Writers/Career Coaches (PARW/CC), The National Résumé Writers’ Association (NRWA) and Career Directors International (CDI).

Self Improvement OnLine
Michelle is also a co-founder of Self Improvement Online, Inc. a privately held, New Jersey-based Internet company. The company’s mission is to provide informative, quality self improvement and natural health information to help people improve their lives with information ranging from goal setting and stress management to natural health and alternative medicine. The network is composed of four websites, SelfGrowth.com, NaturalHealthWeb.com, SelfImprovementNewsletters.com and NaturalHealthNewsletters.com. Self Improvement Online’s websites receive over 1,200,000 unique visitors a month and e-mail Newsletters or e-zines go to over 950,000 weekly subscribers. The websites and newsletters are read in over 100 different countries, with the largest groups of readers and visitors coming from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.